2022's Best Luxury Credit Cards

Luxury Card’s name is about as on-the-nose as it gets.

It’s an international credit card company that specializes in luxury credit cards noted more for their high-class reputation and distinctive design elements, which include sleek aesthetics and sturdy metal construction, than their rewards.

Technically, its cards are issued by Barclays, but Luxury Card calls the shots when it comes to features, design, and that kind of thing.

The Luxury Card lineup currently features just three entries: the Mastercard® Titanium Card™, the Mastercard® Black Card™, and the Mastercard® Gold Card™.

Though it’s not the priciest pick of the bunch, the Black Card is perhaps the most notable of the brand’s portfolio, as it’s easy to confuse for the much swankier Centurion® Card from American Express. The Amex Centurion Card, however, was cemented in credit card mythology as the “black card” long before Luxury Card’s competitor first saw the light of day. American Express even sued when Black Card LLC (the company behind Luxury Card) tried to trademark the term.

Explore the ins and outs of Luxury Card’s three premium travel credit card offers, including their rewards, benefits, and fees, below.

Luxury Card Credit Cards

While the rewards programs remain mostly the same across the Luxury Card lineup, the cash back redemption value increases as annual fees get higher.

The more notable differences appear among the cards’ benefits, and even then, all three cards share most of the same perks.

Mastercard® Titanium Card™

Compared to its extravagant siblings, the Mastercard® Titanium Card™ is something of a bargain at just $195 a year. It features a straightforward travel rewards program that’s not particularly valuable for the price, but its primary value comes from a vast collection of VIP hotel and travel benefits, which are detailed in a book you’ll receive upon approval.

This card’s patented design comprises a brushed stainless steel front and a carbon back.

Mastercard® Black Card™

The Mastercard® Black Card™ costs a whopping $300 more than the Titanium Card, but its high annual fee is pretty standard for a premium travel card. For the extra dough, you get all of the benefits provided with the Titanium Card, plus a few solid statement credits and airport lounge access. You also get a slightly better cash back redemption value.

Like the Titanium Card, the Black Card features stainless steel and carbon construction, with the addition of a black physical vapor deposition coating.

Mastercard® Gold Card™

The Mastercard® Gold Card™ features one of the highest annual fees you’re likely to see on a card that’s not exclusively available to the fabulously wealthy. This gets you a one-of-a-kind credit card plated with authentic 24K gold, as well as a few benefits on top of those provided by the Black Card that could offset the annual fee in full if you travel enough.

As is the case with the Titanium and Black cards, the Gold Card’s reward program doesn’t offer much to write home about.

What’s the Best Luxury Credit Card?

For most people, the Mastercard® Black Card™ is a better pick than either of its Luxury Card brethren. Its annual fee is quite high, at $495, but its perks are mostly worth the price, though its rewards are lackluster.

The Black Card comes with a host of solid travel benefits, including a Priority Pass Select membership, a $100 annual airline credit, and a $100 Global Entry application fee credit. It’s a solid package for the frequent flyer.

With that said, if you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, you might prefer another travel credit card. There are several stronger options at the same fee tier.

What Features Do Luxury Card Credit Cards Include?

The three Luxury Card credit cards share a lot of the same valuable perks. Naturally, nearly all of these benefits are travel-centric — offered under a program called Luxury Card Travel — and they’re designed to help you save money while streamlining travel around the world. They go a long way in making up for each card’s low reward rate and lack of a signup bonus.

Benefits you’re afforded with your Luxury Card credit card may include:

• Flexible redemption options: Technically, each Luxury Card credit card earns 1X point per dollar. But the redemption value you get varies by method, and depending on which card you get. The higher your card tier, the greater your cash back value — but airfare redemption always provides a 2% value, regardless of your card. Cardmembers can also redeem points for “hotel accommodations, car rentals, gift cards from leading retailers and unique experiences.” It’s worth noting that Luxury Card’s points never expire.
• VIP travel benefits: Enjoy your time abroad with room upgrades, complimentary breakfasts, exclusive amenities, early check-in and late checkout, spa treatment, and other benefits at more than 3,000 hotels, resorts, and villas around the world. Check this year’s Luxury Card hotel and travel benefits book to see which perks are available throughout 2020.
• Luxury Card Concierge: Luxury Card’s specially trained concierge service delivers round-the-clock, non-emergency personal assistance to help you plan travel and navigate the challenges of everyday life. The concierge is accessible through the Luxury Card mobile app, and it uses an “advanced recommendation engine” to deliver precisely targeted suggestions.
• Mastercard Priceless Golf: Enjoy a selection of elite golf benefits, including access to the Tournament Players Club (TPC) network of private courses, which encompasses dozens of locations throughout North America, South America, and Asia Pacific.
• Elite car rental statuses: Cardholders automatically qualify for Avis Preferred Plus and National Emerald Club Executive status.
• Additional travel perks: Aside from star status at thousands of hotels, Luxury Card cardholders receive access to a host of convenient benefits, like global luggage delivery, luxury car rental, chauffeured transportation, cruise privileges, charter services, and more.
• LUXURY MAGAZINE subscription: All cardholders receive this quarterly publication available exclusively to Luxury Card members.
• Mastercard benefits: Like most credit cards, the Luxury Card credit cards all feature a range of benefits coordinated by Mastercard rather than the issuer. These include, but are not limited to, various travel protections, including MasterAssist and Master Travel; access to the Mastercard Priceless program, which offers unique luxury travel experiences; and discounts for Lyft, Boxed, Fandango, and onefinestay.

A Brief Overview of Luxury Card

Luxury Card is a relatively new contestant in the game of premium credit cards. The company has been around since 2008, though it only began doing business under its current name in 2014.

Since then, it’s focused on perfecting its slim portfolio by honing the list of benefits included with each card selection.

The brand targets the forward-thinking, adventurous cardholder who’s always on the move through upscale travel perks and innovative physical design elements that help make Luxury Card membership a touch more satisfying.

Evolution of a brand

The Luxury Card collection of credit cards hasn’t always been known as such. In fact, Luxury Card is property of Black Card LLC, a company that initially issued only the Black Card.

Back then, this Black Card — again, not the storied Amex Black Card — used the Visa network, and it had garnered a rather poor reputation by providing benefits that didn’t offer nearly as much value as its competitors.

Fortunately, Black Card LLC recognized the need for a change, and it rebranded the Black Card alongside the introduction of two new cards — Titanium and Gold — in early 2016. This resulted in the creation of Luxury Card as it’s known today.

Interestingly, following its rebranding, Black Card LLC also sued Visa, Chase, and Capital One, suggesting a conspiracy between the three finance giants to throw a wrench in Black Card’s operations, allowing those companies to “keep the affluent credit card market, and its outsized profits, for themselves.” The complaint cites this situation as Luxury Card’s reason for choosing to work with Mastercard thereafter.

How Luxury Card stands out from the crowd

Since the addition of the Titanium and Gold cards, the Luxury Card portfolio has established a few key characteristics that set its cards apart from the pack.

The most visible? Distinctive, patented card designs.

Each Luxury Card is made with stainless steel, and the Gold Card boasts bold 24K gold plating.

But the issuer also aims to provide round-the-clock customer assistance through accessible support lines and its own dedicated concierge service, which harnesses the power of modern tech to provide top-tier recommendations for all things travel.

The rest of what keeps Luxury Card competitive lies largely in the benefits provided by its cards — and you can see what that buzz is all about above.

Premium credit cards may be flashy and fun to show off, but they’re not for everyone. Browse our favorite credit card picks in every category, including other rewards credit cards, travel cards, and cash back cards, to find something that adds value to your lifestyle.